Curriculum Vitae
Jessica Schechter
788 Columbus Ave. Apt. 6D
New York, NY, 10025
(631)-806-3896
Email: jss475@gmail.com Website: www.jesssicaschechter.com
________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
MFA
BS
The Actors Studio MFA Program at
PACE University
New York University
Directing
2015
Educational Theatre
2009
Double Minor: Dramatic Literature and Studio Art
FULL-TIME ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Director of the Drama Program
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory – New York, NY
♦ Coordinated and organized scheduling for multidisciplinary program performances
♦ Taught intensive acting class to drama majors
♦ Directed an integrated art, music, dance, and drama original collaborative production
2009-Present
Theatre Arts Department Chair
Soundview Academy for Culture and Scholarship – Bronx, NY
2011-2012
♦ Founder of theatre program and after school theatre program director
♦ Set up partnerships with specialty programs including Stage Doors, Broadway Jr. and C&T theatre
♦ Created and implemented theater curriculum in accordance with Blueprint and Content Core Standards
Performing Arts Teacher
Professional Performing Arts High School - New York, NY
2009-2011
♦ Taught acting technique and introduction to theatre classes to drama and musical theatre students
♦ Taught dramatic literature from the lens of playwright, actor, and production team
♦ Developed acting values unit and facilitated character development workshops
Director of Drama Program
Moshava Ba’ir – Teaneck, New Jersey
2011-2012
♦ Taught integrated theater classes which incorporated Biblical themes into dramatic activities
♦ Developed curriculum for the drama program as well as camp wide educational programs
♦ Wrote and directed original scripts for multiple shows throughout the season
Creator and Director of Drama Program
Summer Experience for Girls – South Fallsburg, NY
♦ Devised and directed collective performance piece with teenage girls
♦ Taught improvisation, character building, and physical theatre
2007-2008
PART-TIME ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Professor
Touro College –New York, NY
♦ Taught Interpersonal Communication Course in the Speech and Communications Department
♦ Consulted on new curriculum for Applied Theater Initiative within the University
♦ Teaching College Writing I in the English Department
2015
Adjunct Professor
Borough of Manhattan Community College – New York, NY
♦ Teaching Public Speaking Courses in the Speech, Communications, and Theater Department
2015
TA for Improvisational Movement I and II
Actors Studio Drama School at PACE University – New York, NY
♦ Lead warm ups and guided movement exercises to graduate level students
2015
Student Teacher
East Village Community School – K-1 CTT Inclusion Class - New York, NY
♦ Worked with students on language acquisition and literacy skills
♦ Integrated arts into the curriculum, taught lesson and unit plans
♦ Implemented student self-evaluation practices and behavioral modification systems
2009
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
The Public Theater – New York, NY
Production Intern
♦ Worked in lighting, scenery, and props departments for The Shakespeare in the Park season
♦ Set up and organized backstage area and assisted in the daily operations of the theater
2014
14th Street Y – New York, NY
Arts Administration and Development Intern
♦ Researched grants and archived photos for social media marketing
♦ Coordinated scheduling and daily operations for the theater and other Y Programs
2013
Jewish Plays Project – 14th Street Y – New York, NY
Assistant Stage Manager and Assistant Director
♦ Assisted in Dramaturgical research for productions
♦ Ran light board, called cues, and ran daily operations of the theater
2013
New York University – New York, NY
Resident Assistant
♦ Organized floor and building wide programs
♦ Facilitated educational workshops for freshman students
SEMINARS
ATARA Arts Conference
Guest Lecturer
Theatre: Scene by Scene
• Taught techniques of interpreting and analyzing a script, working with actors,
and communicating a fully realized theatrical vision
ATARA Arts Conference
Guest Lecturer
Creating Theater With Young People
• Presented tools and strategies for devising original work with teenagers
MATAN Conference
Guest Lecturer
Educational Theatre
• Lead workshop in how to incorporate theater into curriculum to make learning
more active and engaging for participants
2007-2009
2012
2010, 2011
2011
PUBLICATIONS IN FIELD OF EXPERTISE
Article
“Kindertransport: Telling the Story”, Revue: News from the Program in
Educational Theatre, Issue 10, Summer 2008
Article
“No Ordinary J.A.P.: The Journey of a Jewish American Performer”, Ed
Theatre News, Issue 7, Fall 2006
DIRECTING
Observe
Fires in the Mirror
Gruesome Playground
Injuries
Laundry and Bourbon
Rolling With the Punches*
The Safety of Closed Eyes*
Conversations with
Anne and Martin
Milk Bath*
Here We are
Rolling with the Punches
The Informer
Estelle Singerman
The Third Wave
Grunions
Boy in Blue*
Kol Isha: The Musical!*
Once on this Island Jr.
The Somewhat True Tale
Of Robin Hood
Breaking the Fourth Wall*
Division of Faith*
I Never Saw Another
Butterfly
Who Will Carry the Song*
Alveli*
The Little Mermaid
A My Name is Alice
Midtown International Theater Fest., NYC Director
ASDS Repertory, NYC
Director
ASDS Repertory, NYC
Director
2015
2015
2015
ASDS Repertory, NYC
ASDS Repertory, NYC
Harlem School for the Arts, NYC
Anne Frank Center, NYC
Director
Director
Director
Director
2015
2015
2015
2014
Open Tent Theater Co., NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Jewish Plays Project, NYC
YUHSG Theater Co., NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD
Soundview Academy Theater, NYC
HANC Drama Program, NY
Director
Director
Director
Director
Assistant Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
2014
2014
2014
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2012
2011
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD
HANC Drama Program, NY
Director
Director
Director
2011
2010
2010
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory, MD
Flatbush HS Drama Program, NY
ATARA Theater Co., NYC
Director
Director
Director
Director
2009
2008
2008
2008
*Denotes Original Devised Work
DIRECTING TRAINING:
Preparing to Direct and Devising with Brian Rhinehart
Directing II and III with Andreas Manolikakis
ACTING
The Pavilion
Uncle Vanya
Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer
The Heidi Chronicles
Kari
Marina
Barbara
Heidi
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Twenty Four Six Theater, NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
2014
2014
2013
2013
The Autumn Garden
Through the Eyes of a Friend
Kindertransport
Voices of Women
Once Upon a Dream
A Musical Journey
Father of the Bride
Up the Down Staircase
Rememberings
The Music Man
The Diary of Anne Frank
Sophie
Sarah
Eva
Ensemble
Solo
Solo
Peggy
Miss Barrett
Teacher
Marian
Anne
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
Living Voices Theater Co, NYC
Provincetown Playhouse, NYC
Provincetown Playhouse, NYC
Young Israel of East Northport, NY
Young Israel of East Northport, NY
HANC Drama Program, NY
HANC Drama Program, NY
HANC Drama Program, NY
USDAN Arts Conservatory, NY
HANC Drama Program, NY
2012
2009-2012
2008
2006
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2002
ACTING TRAINING:
Basic Technique with Susan Aston, Scene Work with Jacqueline Knapp
Meisner and Stanislavsky based training
IMPROVISATION AND COMEDY:
Member of Improvodox - Imrpov Troupe
Improvisational Movement with David Frank, Adam Alexander, and Michael Billingsley
Stand Up Comedian for 5+ Years
VOICE OVER:
Addy and Uno animated series
Realabilities animated series
Theme song
Theme Song, Melody, Monique
and Additional Students
Ex Vivo Dynamics Medical Commercial
Narration
Saw You At Gettysburg
Subway Announcement
Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration Narration
2015
2014
2013-2014
2012
2005
Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano
Training: Classical Broadway and Linklater technique
DRAMATIC WRITING
Kol Isha: The Musical!
Alveii
For the Gold
Rememberings
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory
Tizmoret Arts Conservatory
Provincetown Playhouse
HANC Drama Program
Co-writer
Co-writer
Writer
Writer
PROFESSIONAL HONORS, PRIZES, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
PACE Presidential Scholarship 2012-2015
Graduated Summa Cum Laude both Undergraduate and Graduate
JEWTA Artist Fellowship 2013-2014
Awarded the 2nd Funniest Comedian title in Jewish Week Competition 2013
NYU University Scholar 2005-2009
Founders Fellow 2005-2009
Member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society 2005-2009
Reynold’s Finalist for Social Entrepreneurship 2007
Dean’s List 2005-2009
K-12 Drama Teaching Certification
Twenty Four Six Theater Company Member
Drisha Artist Fellowship 2009-2010
2013
2009
2008
2003